Waymo Turns Old EV Batteries Into Grid Power for Texas, CA

When electric vehicle batteries retire from the road, they're getting a powerful new job keeping the lights on.

Waymo, the autonomous vehicle company, just launched a battery repurposing program that transforms old EV batteries from its self-driving fleet into energy storage systems for local electricity grids. Instead of heading straight to recycling, these batteries get a vital second chapter powering communities.

The company partnered with B2U Storage Solutions, a leader in large-scale energy storage, to make it happen. B2U uses patented technology to integrate retired EV batteries into grid-scale storage systems that act like giant reservoirs for clean power.

Here's how it works: these battery systems soak up surplus renewable energy during midday when solar panels are cranking out power. Then they release that stored energy back to the grid during evening peak hours when demand spikes and the sun goes down.

The timing couldn't be better. California now averages 6.1 hours daily of 100% clean power as of 2026, and Texas leads the nation in new solar capacity. But without adequate storage, much of that clean energy goes to waste.

Waymo's shared fleet creates a massive opportunity to fill that storage gap. The company's best-in-class maintenance program already extends vehicle lifespan significantly, and now those same batteries will continue serving communities long after they leave the vehicles.

The Ripple Effect

The partnership will deploy hundreds of megawatts of storage capacity across Texas and California grids where Waymo operates its autonomous ride service. That's enough power to stabilize local grids and help communities make the most of their growing renewable energy sources.

For B2U, the agreement marks a major milestone in providing integrated repurposing services to the automotive industry. The company's Lancaster facility is already putting the technology to work, proving that EV batteries can deliver crucial grid stability as energy demand continues climbing.

Adam Lenz, Waymo's Head of Sustainability & Environment, sees it as maximizing value: "Our batteries continue to provide economic and environmental value to the community long after they've retired from the road."

The circular economy model solves two problems at once, turning potential waste into essential infrastructure while supporting the renewable energy transition that powers cleaner, healthier communities.